Music, speeches, parades, and fireworks entertained the masses everywhere and three military bands and a vast concourse of people gathered about his residence to do special honor to Stanton. Thrice. the multitude raised a great shout and thrice he led forth General Grant (who was his guest) to receive the resounding acclaims that were intended for himself!

On the evening of the 13th the third and final illumination took place, far surpassing previous efforts in variety, design, and extent. Even men who had been supposed to be disloyal became infected. with the general enthusiasm and decorated their houses. Arlington, across the Potomac from Washington, the splendid estate of General Lee that had been confiscated by the Government, was magnificently illuminated, in tragic contrast to the fate of the former owner; the streets and outlets were ablaze with bonfires, and speeches, marching bands, and military manoeuvres enlivened the parks and avenues.

As before, the War Department was the center of attraction and admiration and again the Secretary's residence was gorgeously decorated and illuminated. In the midst of myriads of lights, flags, wreaths, and ensigns with which the War Department building was covered, the name of Grant again shone in sheets of fire above the portico; while high over all, as if suspended by unseen hands from above, in letters of softly subdued light, hung the sweet and healing word, "PEACE."

The war was over. The iron hand that had pursued and smote with fearful energy now led all others in hoisting over the very heart of military power the gracious banner of reconciliation. Amidst the roar, the flame, and the blaze of triumphant rejoicing, Stanton did not forget the South. He held aloft, so they might behold it above the noisy blare of victory, the guiding star of hope to cheer them amidst the ashes of their defeat and invite them back to fraternity, unity, prosperity, and greatness.

The following day, April 14, under Stanton's orders, the officers of the Federal Government, with elaborate ceremonial, raised over the ruins of Fort Sumter the flag that, four years ago on that day, had been struck down by the opening assaults of armed secession. General Robert Anderson, who commanded on April 14, 1861, was present and unfurled the stained but triumphant banner over the battered citadel, and Henry Ward Beecher delivered his great peace oration.

In the evening, after the celebration, General Gilmore, in command of the Charleston district, gave a dinner at the Charleston House to the Government's guests. Joseph Holt was present to represent Stanton and when, in an eloquent and patriotic address, he referred to the "lion-like courage" with which the great Secretary had "fought the Rebellion in all the vicissitudes of its career," there was enthusiastic cheering.

Stanton had suggested that the same commander (Anderson) hoist the same old flag and the same chaplain (Reverend Mr. Harris) offer prayer at the rehabilitation in order to "put things back as they were four years before," thus vindicating "Old Glory" and adding double emphasis to the idea of an indestructible Union.

Originally he expected to attend the celebration, but had recently been compelled to avert so many catastrophes that he feared to leave Washington, and said to Joseph Holt: "I cannot go. It is not safe. No one can tell what may happen. You go and stand and speak for me, and God's blessing be upon the gallant officers who will be there and upon the flag and the nation!"

At the very moment that Judge Holt was standing and speaking as ordered at old Sumter, one assassin was lurking in Stanton's vestibule, another was cutting at the throat of Seward, and the third sent a death-shot through the brain of President Lincoln !

CHAPTER XLVIII.

LINCOLN ASSASSINATED-STANTON AS ACTING-PRESI

DENT.

For nearly two years there was an active conspiracy to kidnap President Lincoln and his cabinet.* At one time the conspirators believed they had their hands on Stanton and at least twice they could have made off with Lincoln; but no opportunity ever offered for executing the plan to capture the entire executive force at a single sortie.

A plan to kidnap Stanton and take him to Richmond was entrusted to a secession band with headquarters on the Saunders farm in West Virginia, about six miles from the Ohio River. A sharp and nervy young woman made regular trips to Steubenville, Ohio, for the purpose of reporting to the band any visit which Stanton might be about to make to that city. She was frequently accompanied by a neighbor of Union sentiments named W. R. Burgoyne (now of Steubenville), who was aware that she was doing secret work for the Confederates. Finally, she learned that Stanton had arrived and intended on Saturday to accompany Dr. William Stanton over the river into West Virginia. Arrangements were made to capture him, but an urgent telegram from Washington caused him to return forthwith. Thus he escaped. "I learned years afterward from a leading secessionist," says Mr. Burgoyne, "that the preparations made to take Mr. Stanton to Richmond were so ample that failure would have been practically out of the question."

The executive head of the kidnapping movement was John Wilkes Booth, a mercurial, high-strung, and convivial actor, whose

*A body of preachers called upon Stanton and suggested that if Jefferson Davis were captured and brought to the Old Capitol Prison, the Rebellion would soon fall to pieces; and that they wished personally to aid in the venture. In order to satisfy his callers, who were headed by the Reverend Byron Sunderland, Stanton ordered Colonel W. P. Wood to Richmond to investigate the project. In about a week Wood reported that the scheme was impracticable and undignified, and that ended the matter.